644 things to draw

Random Things to Draw Generator

Press the button for one thing to draw and a short hint on where to put the first line.

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LemonAn oval with a small bump at each end. Dimple the skin with dots.

Next step More simple subjects with shape hints

All 644 things to draw

Easy 193

Acorn An egg wearing a cross-hatched cap with a short stalk.
Apple with a bite out A circle with a dip at top and bottom. The bite shows tooth marks.
Astronaut A big round helmet and a padded suit hide all the anatomy.
Baby dragon A big head, a round belly, stubby wings and a tail with a spade tip.
Baby in a blanket A parcel with a round face. The features sit low on the head.
Banana A gentle curve with flat sides. Peel it halfway for more to draw.
Bar of soap with bubbles A rounded block. Overlap circles of different sizes for the foam.
Barn A big door with crossed braces under a roof that changes slope halfway.
Bell A flared cup with a ball clapper showing under the rim.
Bird table in a garden A small roofed tray on a post, with a bird or two.
Blue whale One long teardrop on its side. The eye sits low, near the corner of the mouth.
Bobble hat and scarf The scarf folds once and hangs. Fringe the ends with short lines.

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Easy, continued

Boiled egg in a cup An oval in a small goblet. Crack the top and lean a spoon on it.
Bowl of cereal An ellipse of milk with floating rings, and a spoon on the rim.
Bridge over a stream One arch and its reflection make a full circle.
Bucket and spade A tapered cylinder with a wire handle. The spade leans on the side.
Bumblebee A fat oval, two stripes and wings much smaller than you expect.
Bunch of cherries Two circles hanging from stalks that meet at a leaf.
Bus stop A pole, a sign, a bench and a shelter roof. Add one bag left on the bench.
Butterfly Draw one side, then mirror it. Upper wings are larger than the lower pair.
Button A circle, an inner rim and two or four holes. Add a loose thread.
Cactus in a pot A rounded column with two arms. Spines sit in small clusters, not singly.
Campfire Logs laid in a cone with flame shapes between them, and a ring of stones.
Candle A cylinder with a teardrop flame. Let some wax run down one side.
Candy floss A cloud on a paper cone. Draw it with light looping scribbles.
Carrot A long cone with short rings round it and feathery leaves.
Cat-tail reed A brown sausage on a tall stalk with a spike above, and strap leaves.
Caterpillar A row of overlapping circles that rises in the middle like a hill.
Cauldron A round pot on three short legs, with bubbles of different sizes rising.
Chick A circle, a tiny triangle beak and two stick legs.
Child in a raincoat and boots A triangle coat, a hood and two big boots. Add a puddle.
Chilli pepper A curved cone with a green cap and a bent stalk.
Clothes peg Two long wedges pinched together by a small coil spring.
Cloud castle Towers growing out of cloud shapes. No hard ground line anywhere.
Conker in its shell A spiky green case split open to show a shiny brown seed.
Cookie with a bite out A rough circle with chunks of chocolate. The bite leaves a scalloped edge.
Crab A wide oval, two raised claws and legs that bend like elbows.
Crown A band with five points, a ball on each and jewels round the base.
Crystal ball A circle on a small stand, with a curved highlight and a swirl inside.
Cupcake A pleated trapezoid case with a swirl on top that gets narrower in three steps.
Cyclops One large eye in the middle of the forehead, with one brow above it.
Daisy A small centre disc and long petals. Draw the four compass petals first.
Dandelion clock A ball of fine lines, each ending in a tiny star. Let a few drift off.
Desert island A mound of sand, one palm tree and a ring of ripples.
Dice A cube showing three faces. Opposite faces add up to seven.
Domino A rectangle with a line across the middle and dots in each half.
Dragon egg A large egg covered in overlapping scales, sitting in a nest of straw.
Drawing pin A flat disc and a short spike, seen from the side.
Duckling Two circles joined by a short neck, with a flat bill.
Ear A C with a Y inside. Ears are longer than most people draw them.
Envelope with a wax seal A rectangle with a V flap. The seal is a lumpy circle where the point lands.
Face in profile Forehead, nose, lips and chin as one zigzag line. The ear sits behind the jaw.
Fairy door in a tree A small arched door between two roots, with a tiny step.
Flying saucer A flat disc with a dome on top and a row of lights under the rim.
Footprints in sand A heel, a ball and five toe dots. Alternate left and right.
Four-leaf clover Four hearts meeting at their points, on a thin curved stalk.
Fried egg A wobbly white outline with a yolk set off centre. One highlight on the yolk.
Friendly monster A blob with too many eyes, or too few. Give it small feet.
Frog on a lily pad A squat triangle with eye bumps on top. The pad is a circle with a slice cut out.
Front door with steps A panelled door, a letterbox, a number and three steps up.
Garden shed A small box with a sloping roof, a plank door and one window.
Ghost A sheet with a rounded head, a wavy hem and two oval eyes.
Gingerbread house A simple house with icing dripping from the roof and sweets for tiles.
Gingerbread person A rounded star with a head. Pipe icing lines at the wrists and ankles.
Goldfish An almond body and a fan tail. One curved line behind the eye makes the gill.
Grass snake One S curve drawn twice, side by side, closing to a point.
Hamster A pear shape with full cheeks. Keep the ears and feet tiny.
Hand print Trace your own and then correct it by eye. The thumb sits much lower than the fingers.
Hanging bat An upside-down teardrop wrapped in folded wings, with two pointed ears.
Hat collection on heads Six simple heads, six different hats. The hat changes who each one is.
Hedgehog A teardrop on its side. Flick the spines backwards from the forehead.
Hill with one tree A single curve for the hill. The tree sits off centre.
Holly sprig Leaves with curved bites between sharp points, and three berries.
Hot air balloon An upside-down teardrop with curved stripes, and a small basket hung below.
House mouse An egg body, two round ears as big as the head and one long loose tail.
Ice lolly A rounded rectangle on a flat stick. Take a bite out of one corner.
Igloo A dome of curved blocks with a low arched tunnel.
Ivy leaf Five shallow points with pale veins. Ivy leaves alternate along the stem.
Jack-o'-lantern A ribbed pumpkin with triangle eyes and a jagged grin, glowing from inside.
Jam jar A cylinder with a cloth cover tied on with string, and a label.
Jellyfish A half circle with a wavy hem, then trailing lines of different lengths.
Key A ring, a straight shaft and two or three teeth. Old keys make better drawings.
Kite A diamond with a cross inside, and bows tied along the tail.
Koala on a branch Round head, big fluffy ears and a wide oval nose. The arms hug the branch.
Ladder Two long lines leaning, with evenly spaced rungs.
Ladybird A dome split down the middle. Make the spots different sizes.
Lavender stem Small buds stacked in rings up a thin stalk, denser near the top.
Lemon An oval with a small bump at each end. Dimple the skin with dots.
Light bulb A circle that narrows to a neck, a ridged screw cap and a zigzag filament.
Lighthouse A tapering tower with bands, a lamp room with a rail and a small dome on top.
Lily pad with a flower A circle with a notch. The flower is a cup of pointed petals.
Little house A square, a triangle roof, a chimney and a path. Add one odd window.
Magic wand A tapered stick with a star of short lines at the tip.
Magnet A thick U with two coloured tips and a few short lines of pull.
Maple leaf Five points, each with smaller points, and veins from one spot at the stalk.
Mistletoe Pairs of paddle leaves at each fork, with white berries in the joints.
Moon with a face A crescent in profile with a sleepy eye, a nose and a small smile.
Mountains and a moon Overlapping triangles with zigzag snow caps. The far peaks are paler.
Mouth, smiling The line between the lips matters most. The corners tuck into the cheeks.
Mug of hot chocolate A cylinder heaped with marshmallows. Steam rises in two lazy lines.
Mushroom A dome on a stalk. Show the gills as lines fanning from the stalk.
Mushroom ring The same toadstool at different sizes and tilts, in a loose circle.
Night sky with a comet Dots of different sizes, and one bright head with a long fading tail.
Nose from the front Draw the shadow under it and the two wings. Skip the outline down the sides.
Oak leaf A long leaf with rounded lobes in uneven pairs.
One-eyed alien An oval head, one big eye and thin arms. Antennae finish it.
Onion A ball with a pointed top and roots at the bottom. Lines run pole to pole.
Open book Two curved pages meeting at a valley. Lines of text follow the curve.
Padlock A rounded square with a U on top and a keyhole in the middle.
Pair of eyes The iris is partly covered by the upper lid. Leave a small white highlight.
Palm tree A curved trunk with rings, and fronds arching from one point at the top.
Paper aeroplane A long triangle with a fold line down the middle and one wing tilted.
Park bench under a lamp A slatted bench with curled arms and a tall lamp post beside it.
Pea pod A long curved pod split open, with a row of circles inside.
Pear A small circle sitting on a big one, smoothed together, with a bent stalk.
Pencil A long hexagon, a scalloped edge where the paint stops and a cone tip.
Penguin A tall egg with a white bib. The flippers hang like coat sleeves.
Person asleep in a chair The head drops, the arms hang and the body takes the shape of the chair.
Person from behind No face needed. The tilt of the shoulders gives the mood.
Person holding balloons One arm up, strings fanning out to a cluster of ovals.
Person in a big coat The coat is a bell shape. Only the feet, hands and head show.
Person under an umbrella The umbrella hides the head and shoulders, which saves you the hard part.
Pig from the front A circle, an oval snout with two dots, and ears that fold forward.
Pine cone An egg of overlapping scales in spirals. Start from the tip.
Pine tree A trunk with skirts of branches that get wider towards the ground.
Planet with rings A circle with an ellipse round it. The ring passes behind the planet at the top.
Plaster A rounded strip with a square pad and tiny dots at each end.
Pond turtle A dome on a flat base. Pattern the shell last.
Pond with ducks A flat oval with reeds at one edge. The ducks are small shapes with V wakes.
Popcorn box A striped box wider at the top, heaped with cloud-shaped kernels.
Poppy Four crumpled petals round a dark centre, on a hairy stalk.
Pot of herbs A terracotta pot with a rim. Basil leaves are rounded and cupped.
Potion bottle A round flask with a cork and a label. The liquid has a flat top line.
Pretzel One rope looped into a heart with the ends crossing. Dot it with salt.
Pufferfish A circle covered in short spikes, with tiny fins and a small round mouth.
Rabbit from behind Two ovals, two tall ears and a round tail. No face to worry about.
Ring doughnut Two ovals, one inside the other. The icing drips over the outer edge.
Robin A ball with a short tail and a thin beak. The red bib covers face and chest.
Robot Boxes for the head and body, with tubes for the arms. Give it one odd detail.
Rocket on a launch pad A pointed cylinder with three fins, held by a tower of crossed struts.
Round tree A cloud on a trunk. The trunk splits before it enters the leaves.
Row of beach huts The same small gabled box repeated in different stripes.
Safety pin One wire bent into a loop at one end and a clasp at the other.
Sandcastle Bucket-shaped towers with a wall between them and a flag on top.
Sausage on a fork A curved cylinder with rounded ends and a shine along the top.
Scuba diver A mask, fins and a tank. Bubbles rise in a line from the mouthpiece.
Seal on a rock A banana shape with the head lifted at one end and flippers tucked at the other.
Seedling Two round leaves on a bent stem, pushing out of a mound of soil.
Shield with a crest A flat top and a pointed bottom, divided in four.
Silhouette on a swing Solid black shape against the sky. The legs kick forward, the body leans back.
Simple self-portrait Hair shape first, then glasses or anything else that makes you look like you.
Sitting owl An oval body, two big discs for the face and a small V between them.
Skier Knees bent, body leaning forward, poles trailing behind. A scarf adds speed.
Slice of pizza A long triangle with a thick crust edge. Strings of cheese stretch from the tip.
Slice of toast A square with a dip in the top edge. Dot the surface and melt a pat of butter on it.
Slice of watermelon A half circle with a rind band. Scatter teardrop seeds pointing at the centre.
Smiling face The eyes sit halfway down the head, not near the top.
Snail Draw the spiral first, then slide the soft body underneath it.
Snow globe A circle on a trapezoid base. Put one small thing inside.
Snowball fight Bundled figures as ovals with arms, one in mid-throw.
Snowdrop A bent neck with a hanging bell of three outer petals.
Snowman that has come alive Three balls, stick arms raised and a carrot nose. The coal mouth is open.
Snowy cabin A log box with a heavy cap of snow and smoke from the chimney.
Spell book A thick book with corner pieces, a clasp and a symbol on the cover.
Spider on a thread Two circles and eight bent legs. The thread gives it somewhere to be.
Starfish Five soft arms from a centre point. Bend one arm so it looks alive.
Stick figure dancing Bend the spine line and throw one arm up. A stick figure still needs a tilt.
Strawberry A rounded heart with a leafy collar. The seeds sit in tiny dents.
Street lamp in fog A lamp post with a soft glow. Everything else fades to pale grey.
Sweet in a wrapper An oval with a twisted fan of paper at each end.
Sword in a stone A cross-shaped hilt standing out of a rough boulder.
Sycamore seed Two wings joined at a pair of seeds, like a moustache.
Tadpole A dot with a wavy tail. Draw ten of them to fill a pond.
Tent under stars A triangle with a flap, a few dots for stars and one bigger moon.
Thumbs up A fist is a box. The thumb rises from the near corner.
Toadstool house A spotted cap for a roof, a door in the stalk and a crooked chimney.
Toothbrush A long handle with a slight bend and a block of bristles.
Traffic cone A triangle with the tip cut off, on a square base, with one or two bands.
Treasure chest A box with a curved lid, metal bands and a heap of coins inside.
Treasure map A torn-edged sheet with a dotted path, a compass star and an X.
Tulip An egg with three points on a long stalk, and two leaves that wrap the stem.
Umbrella A half circle with a scalloped edge, a straight pole and a J handle.
Walking tree A trunk with a face in the bark and roots that work as feet.
Waving hand A square palm, four fingers of different lengths and the thumb off to one side.
Wedge of cheese with holes A triangular block. Holes on the edges show as bites, not circles.
Wellington boot An L shape with a thick sole and a rim at the top.
Windmill A tapering tower with four lattice sails meeting at a hub near the top.
Wishing well A round wall, two posts, a small roof and a bucket on a rope.
Witch's broom A bundle of twigs tied to a knobbly stick with two bands.
Wizard hat A bent cone with a wide brim, a band and a few stars.
Woolly hat A dome with a folded brim and a pom-pom. Rib the brim with short lines.
Woolly sheep A cloud on four sticks with a small dark oval for the face.
Wrapped present A box with a ribbon cross and a bow of two loops and two tails.

Medium 288

Acoustic guitar A figure-eight body, a round sound hole, a long neck and six pegs.
Airship A long balloon with a gondola beneath, fins at the tail and ropes between.
Alarm clock A circle on two feet with twin bells and a hammer between them.
Alien market Stalls selling things you cannot name. Invent three fruits and one tool.
Alley with washing lines Tall walls close together, with lines of clothes crossing overhead.
Allotment Small plots with canes, a water butt, a shed and a scarecrow.
Aloe vera Thick tapering leaves from a centre, with small teeth on the edges.
Anchor A shaft with a ring on top, a crossbar and two curved arms ending in flukes.
Angler on a bank A long rod makes a diagonal out over still water. The figure is small and patient.
Apple blossom Five round petals, pink on the outside of the buds, with new leaves beside them.
Armadillo Bands across the middle let the shell bend. The ears stand up like a rabbit's.
Armchair A box with rounded arms and a fat cushion. Show the dent where someone sat.
Artichoke Overlapping scales from the bottom up, each with a small notch at the tip.
Attic room Sloping ceilings, a skylight, boxes and one bare bulb.
Autumn leaf pile Overlapping leaves of three or four kinds. Curl some edges upward.
Avocado half A pear outline, a ring of paler flesh and a round stone that casts a shadow.
Badger A low wedge body. Two dark stripes run from the nose over each eye to the ears.
Baguettes in a bag Long loaves with diagonal cuts, sticking out of a paper bag.
Ballet dancer One long line from the raised hand to the pointed toe. The supporting leg is straight.
Ballet shoes Two slim slippers with ribbons trailing. Let the ribbons loop over each other.
Bamboo stems Segments with a ridge at each joint. Leaves grow in small fans from the joints.
Bandstand in a park An eight-sided platform with thin columns and a pointed roof.
Barn owl A heart-shaped face with dark eyes. The body is pale with small flecks.
Basketball jump shot The body stretches into one line, with the wrist bent over at the top.
Beach with rock pools Dark irregular shapes in pale sand, each holding a patch of sky.
Beard and moustache Treat it as a shape with a soft edge. It follows the jaw underneath.
Bedroom corner A bed, a lamp, a window and a chair with clothes on it.
Bicycle Two circles and a diamond frame. The saddle and handlebars sit level.
Binoculars Two tapered tubes joined by a hinge, with a focus wheel between.
Birdcage A dome of thin bars on a round base, with a swing and an open door.
Birthday cake A cylinder with icing that drips unevenly. Tilt the candles slightly.
Bluebell A stem that nods to one side, with bells whose tips curl back.
Bonsai tree A thick tapering trunk with a strong lean, and leaf pads like small clouds.
Bookshop front A big window of spines, a sign above and a box of bargains outside.
Bowl of ramen Noodles in loops, half an egg, a sheet of seaweed and chopsticks across the rim.
Bowl of spaghetti Draw a few whole strands looping over each other. Suggest the rest.
Box of chocolates A grid of paper cups, each holding a different shape. Leave one cup empty.
Breakfast tray A plate, a cup, a glass and a small vase. Everything round becomes an ellipse.
Bunch of grapes Overlapping circles in a loose triangle. Only the front ones are whole.
Bunch of keys Several different keys on one ring, fanned out, with a tag.
Bunch of wild flowers Vary the heights and heads. Tie the stems where they cross.
Burger Layers between two domes. Let the lettuce frill out and the cheese corner droop.
Bus interior Rows of seat backs, poles and hanging straps, all heading for one point.
Cactus in flower A ribbed ball with a crown of thin-petalled flowers sitting on top.
Cafe tables on a pavement Round tables and folding chairs. The ellipses flatten as they go back.
Camel One or two humps, a swan neck and heavy eyelids.
Canal with a narrowboat A long low boat with a tiller at the back, and its reflection broken by ripples.
Cassette tape A rectangle with two toothed reels behind a window, and a label strip.
Castle in the clouds Spires above a cloud bank, with a bridge to nowhere.
Castle on a hill Towers of different heights with notched tops, and a path winding up.
Cat with wings Bird wings folded along the back of an ordinary sitting cat.
Centaur The human waist joins where the horse's neck would start.
Chameleon A helmet head, a turret eye and a tail coiled like a watch spring.
Cheeseboard Wedges, rounds and a knife on a plank. Crumbs make it look used.
Chef tossing a pan The pan tilts up, the food hangs in the air and the other hand steadies.
Cherry blossom branch Five-petal flowers in clusters, each petal notched, on a dark angular twig.
Child's face A big forehead, low features, a small nose and wide-set eyes.
City on the back of a turtle Buildings crowd the shell. The flippers and head give the scale.
Clown Big shoes, a small hat and a ruff. The make-up shapes sit over a real face.
Coffee pot The kind that sits on a hob: two faceted halves that screw together at the waist.
Compass A flat cylinder with a needle and four letters. The needle is a long thin diamond.
Corner shop An awning, a window of stacked goods and a door set across the corner.
Cottage with a thatched roof The roof is thick and rounded at the edges, and curves over the windows.
Country lane with a gate Two hedges converge. A five-bar gate sits in a gap on one side.
Cow lying down The legs fold under. The hip bones make corners at the back.
Crocodile Long flat jaws with teeth showing when shut. Ridges run down the back to the tail.
Croissant A crescent of overlapping segments, fattest in the middle.
Crowd from behind Rows of heads and shoulders overlapping. Only the front row needs detail.
Curly hair Draw the big shape first, then a few ringlets at the edge. Never every strand.
Dachshund A long loaf on short legs. The ears hang lower than the jaw.
Desert with tall cacti A flat horizon, big sky and a few tall shapes with long shadows.
Desk lamp Two jointed arms with springs, and a cone shade pointing down.
Dolphin A curved banana with a beak. The back fin sits halfway along.
Donkey Ears nearly as long as the head, a pale muzzle and a stiff upright mane.
Dragon head A long muzzle, a brow ridge, horns sweeping back and scales smaller round the eye.
Dragonfly A matchstick body and four long wings held flat. Vein the wings lightly.
Drum kit Cylinders of different sizes and two tilted discs on stands.
Drummer Seated behind the kit, with both sticks at different heights.
Dumplings in a steamer Pleated parcels in a round bamboo basket. The pleats meet at a twist.
Dwarf with an axe As wide as tall, with a plaited beard, a helmet and heavy boots.
Elephant Start with the large ear shape. The trunk tapers, with wrinkles on the inside of curves.
Elf archer A long bow drawn back to the cheek. The arrow, arm and eye line up.
Enchanted forest path Trees with faces, lanterns in the branches and mushrooms that glow.
Face with freckles Scatter the dots unevenly, thicker across the nose and cheeks.
Face with glasses The frames follow the curve of the face. The lenses sit on the eye line.
Fairy Insect wings with veins, two pairs, attached between the shoulder blades.
Fallow deer A slim neck and legs that bend backwards at the hock. Add spots along the back.
Faun Goat legs that bend backwards at the hock, small horns and a set of pipes.
Fern frond Each side leaflet is a small copy of the whole. The tip uncurls like a violin scroll.
Film camera A box with a lens barrel of stacked rings, a viewfinder and a winding lever.
Fish and chips A battered fillet on a heap of chips, with a lemon wedge and a wooden fork.
Flamingo An S neck, an oval body and one straight leg. The other leg folds into a 4.
Floating island A chunk of land with roots and rocks hanging below and a waterfall off the edge.
Footballer kicking The standing leg bends, the kicking leg swings through and the arms fly out.
Forest path The path narrows as it goes. Near trunks are dark and far ones pale.
Fox in a waistcoat The animal stands upright, but the legs still bend like a fox's.
Foxglove A tall spire of hanging bells, open at the bottom and in bud at the top.
Frog prince An ordinary frog with a very small crown, sitting upright.
Frozen lake with skaters Tiny figures and the curved lines they have cut. Trees ring the far shore.
Fruit tart A fluted pastry ring filled with overlapping slices in circles.
Garden gnome A tall pointed hat, a round nose and a beard that covers the whole body.
Garden shed tools A fork, a spade and a rake leaning together. Vary the handle heights.
Gardener kneeling One knee down, one hand in the soil. A hat hides most of the face.
Garlic bulb A squat ball of segments gathered into a papery neck. One clove sits beside it.
Genie from a lamp The body tapers to a wisp of smoke that curls back into the spout.
Giant and a small house Scale is everything. The house reaches the giant's ankle.
Giant panda Build it from circles. The eye patches tilt down at the outside.
Giant snail carrying a house The shell is a spiral cottage with a door, windows and a smoking chimney.
Giraffe The neck slopes forward, not straight up. Patches fit together like paving.
Goat Rectangular pupils, a beard and horns that sweep back.
Goblin Long ears, a long nose and long fingers on a small body.
Grandparent and child walking Two heights, holding hands. The small one takes twice as many steps.
Greenhouse A glass shed with a ridge roof. Hint at the plants as green shapes behind the panes.
Griffin The front half is an eagle, with wings and talons. The back half is a lion.
Guitarist The instrument crosses the body on a diagonal. One hand is on the neck, one over the hole.
Hanging basket A bowl on three chains, overflowing at the edges and trailing beneath.
Hanging spider plant Arching striped leaves, with baby plants dangling on long runners.
Harbour with fishing boats Boats point different ways at their moorings. The masts tilt a little.
Haunted house A tall narrow house with a crooked roof, broken shutters and one lit window.
Heron A dagger bill, a kinked neck and long legs with a joint that bends backwards.
Honey jar and dipper A pot with a grooved wooden dipper. The honey falls in one slow thread.
Hot dog A sausage in a split bun, longer than the bread, with a zigzag of sauce.
Hummingbird A tiny body with a needle bill. Blur the wings into two fans.
Hydrangea head A ball of small four-petal flowers. Detail a few and suggest the rest.
Ice cream sundae A tall glass with scoops, sauce running down inside and a wafer on top.
Ink bottle and dip pen A squat bottle with a narrow neck. The nib has a slit and a small hole.
Iris Three petals stand and three fall, with sword-shaped leaves.
Jackalope A hare with a small pair of antlers between the ears.
Juggler The balls travel in an arc. The eyes look at the top of the arc, not at the hands.
Kangaroo A pear body leaning forward, balanced by a thick tail on the ground.
Kitchen table by a window Light comes from one side. Every object throws its shadow the same way.
Knight in armour Build the figure first, then strap the plates over it.
Koi from above A curved spindle with fins spread flat. Patches of colour break the outline.
Kraken and a ship Arms rise round a small ship. Suckers line the underside of each arm.
Lantern A cage of four posts round a glass chimney, with a wire handle over the top.
Laughing face The eyes narrow, the cheeks rise and the mouth opens wider than it is tall.
Laundrette A row of round doors, a bench and a basket. The circles become ellipses along the row.
Letterbox A box with a slot and a flag. Put a letter half in.
Library aisle Shelves each side running to one vanishing point, with a ladder on a rail.
Lighthouse in a storm The tower stays upright while waves climb it. Spray hides the base.
Lily Six pointed petals that curl back, with long stamens carrying heavy tips.
Llama A tall straight neck and banana ears. The wool hides the body shape.
Loaf of bread, sliced A rounded block with slashes on top. Fan two slices forward.
Lobster Two claws of different sizes and a tail made of overlapping plates.
Long plait Stacked Y shapes getting smaller, with a tie and a tuft at the end.
Magic mirror An ornate frame whose reflection shows a different room.
Market stall A striped canopy on poles over crates. The canopy sags between the poles.
Meerkat on watch It stands upright like a skittle, arms hanging, with dark patches round the eyes.
Mermaid The tail joins at the hips and bends like a dolphin's, with the flukes flat.
Milkshake with two straws A tall glass with foam over the rim. The straws cross.
Mime in an invisible box Flat palms pressed against nothing. The fingers spread and bend back slightly.
Monstera leaf A heart leaf with slits from the edge and holes near the midrib.
Moon surface with Earth rising A cratered foreground, a black sky and a blue and white half disc.
Moose A long drooping nose, a shoulder hump and antlers like open hands.
Mountain hut A small stone building under a huge slope, for scale.
Mummy Bandages wrap round the form in different directions, with loose ends trailing.
Oak tree in winter Branches fork again and again, getting thinner. No line stays straight for long.
Octopus A balloon head and eight arms. Curl each arm a different way.
Old face The lines follow the muscles: across the forehead, round the eyes, down from the nose.
Old telephone A cradle base with a dial of ten holes and a curly cord to the handset.
Orchid Five flat petals and one shaped lip, on an arching stem with buds at the end.
Otter on its back It floats like a log, paws on the chest, with the tail steering.
Owl wearing spectacles Round frames on a round face. Add a book under one wing.
Paint tubes Squeezed, dented tubes with caps off and a worm of paint from one.
Pair of glasses Two lenses and a bridge. Fold one arm in for a more interesting shape.
Pair of scissors Two blades crossing at a screw, each with its own loop handle.
Pair of trainers One from the side, one from above. The laces cross in a ladder.
Parent with a child on their shoulders The adult's hands hold the ankles. The child holds the head.
Parrot A hooked beak in two parts, a round head and long tail feathers past the perch.
Pegasus Wings attach at the shoulders, and each wing is as long as the whole body.
Pelican A long bill with a soft pouch below it, resting on the chest.
Person asleep on a train The head rests on the window. The coat is pulled up like a blanket.
Person carrying shopping The weight pulls one shoulder down. The other arm swings out for balance.
Person drinking tea The elbow lifts and the wrist turns. The cup hides part of the face.
Person in a hooded top The hood frames the face in shadow. The folds gather at the elbows.
Person in a long scarf The wind takes the scarf one way and the hair the same way.
Person leaning on a wall The weight sits on one leg, so the hips tilt one way and the shoulders the other.
Person looking at a phone The neck bends forward, and the light comes up from below.
Person on a bicycle Hang the body between three points: saddle, handlebars and pedals.
Person painting at an easel One arm out at full stretch, the body leaning back to judge the work.
Person reading The head tilts down, the shoulders round, and the book sits closer than you think.
Person running for a bus The body leans well ahead of the feet. The opposite arm and leg go forward.
Person sitting on the floor Legs crossed or folded. Find where the weight rests before drawing limbs.
Person stretching A long line from the fingertips to the opposite heel.
Person tying a shoe A folded figure: one knee up, back curved, head down.
Person walking a dog The lead makes a line between two figures moving at different speeds.
Phoenix Long tail plumes and wings raised, with the feathers ending in flame shapes.
Picnic basket A woven box with two flaps, a bottle neck and a loaf showing.
Pie with a lattice top Strips woven over and under. One slice is missing.
Pier at low tide Legs in rows getting smaller, with their reflections in wet sand.
Pineapple An oval covered in diamonds, each with a dot. The crown is a burst of blades.
Pirate A hat, a coat with big cuffs and boots. A spyglass gives the hands a job.
Playground A slide, swings and a roundabout. Empty, it looks lonely. Busy, it looks loud.
Pocket watch A circle with a crown and ring on top. Leave the lid open to double the shapes.
Polar bear A long neck and a small head. Shade with pale grey, not outline.
Pomegranate, split A leathery ball with a crown. Inside, the seeds pack into chambers.
Puffin A striped triangular bill and a sad eye shape. The body is a stout oval.
Pumpkin Ribs curve from stalk to base. The middle rib is the widest.
Queue at a bus stop Five people waiting five different ways. Vary the heights and the bags.
Raccoon A mask across the eyes and rings on the tail. The hands look nearly human.
Radio A box with a speaker grille, a tuning dial and an aerial pulled out at an angle.
Railway station platform One-point perspective: the platform edge, the track and the roof all meet at one spot.
Record player A box, a disc with a centre label and an arm resting on the edge.
Red cabbage, halved The cut face is a maze of tight folds round a pale core.
Red fox A pointed muzzle, tall ears and a tail as long as the body.
Rocking chair A chair on two curved runners. The back leans with the curve.
Roller skate A boot on a plate with four wheels in two pairs, and a stopper at the toe.
Rooftops and chimneys Overlapping slopes at different angles, with pots, aerials and a cat.
Rooster The tail is a fountain of curved feathers. The comb and wattles frame the beak.
Rose from above Start with a tight spiral and add petals that overlap like roof tiles.
Rose from the side A cup of wrapped petals with outer ones curling back. The sepals peel down.
Rowing boat A pointed oval seen at an angle, with plank lines, a seat and two oars.
Rucksack A rounded box with a front pocket, two straps and a grab loop.
Sailing boat A curved hull with a tall triangle sail and a smaller one in front.
Sea serpent Loops rising from the water in a row, each smaller, with the head at the front.
Seahorse A horse head on an S body ending in a coiled tail. Add ridges across the belly.
Seed heads in a vase Dried poppy pods, grasses and a teasel. The shapes are all silhouette.
Sewing machine An arm over a flat bed, a wheel at one end and a needle at the other.
Shark A torpedo with a tall back fin. The tail's upper half is longer than the lower.
Silver birch trunk Pale bark with dark horizontal dashes and black diamonds where branches were.
Skateboard from below A long rounded deck with two trucks. The wheels stick out at each side.
Skateboarder A low crouch with the arms out. The board tilts with the feet.
Skeleton waving Simplify: a skull, a rib cage, a pelvis and sticks with knobs at the joints.
Sleeping cat Curl the whole body into one ring, with the tail wrapped round to the nose.
Sleepy face Heavy upper lids cover half the iris. The head tips to one side.
Slice of layer cake A wedge showing stripes of sponge and cream, with a fork beside it.
Sloth Long arms hooked over a branch, and a face with a dark stripe through each eye.
Space station Modules joined in a line, with flat wings of solar panels at each end.
Spaceship interior A window onto stars, two seats and panels of switches.
Squirrel with a nut The tail makes an S up the back, as big as the rest of the animal.
Stack of books Vary the thickness and let one or two sit at an angle.
Stack of pancakes Flat ovals piled slightly askew, with syrup running over the edges.
Stag beetle The jaws look like antlers. The body splits into head, thorax and wing cases.
Steam-powered robot Rivets, pipes, a boiler for a chest and a chimney on one shoulder.
Stone circle Tall rough slabs in a ring, some leaning, one fallen, with long shadows.
Street of terraced houses One house shape repeated, with different doors, curtains and chimney pots.
Succulent rosette Petal-like leaves in a spiral, each tucked between the two below.
Suitcase with stickers A box with reinforced corners and a handle. The stickers tell where it has been.
Sunflower Two rows of petals round a big disc. The seeds sit in crossing spirals.
Surfer on a wave Knees bent, arms wide, back foot across the board.
Surprised face The brows lift, the eyes show white above the iris and the jaw drops.
Sushi platter Small blocks and rolls in a row. Show the rice grain by grain on one only.
Swan The neck is a figure 2. Raised wings make a heart shape from behind.
Sweetcorn cob Rows of kernels curve round the cob. The husk peels back like petals.
Swimmer diving Arms together, body straight as an arrow, toes pointed.
Taco A folded shell standing open, stuffed so the filling shows along the top.
Teacup and saucer Two ellipses that match. The handle joins at the top and lower down.
Teapot A sphere with an S spout and a C handle. The spout tip lines up with the rim.
Telescope on a tripod A long tapering tube, tilted up, on three splayed legs.
Tent A triangle front with a flap pulled back, guy ropes and pegs.
Terrarium A glass jar holding moss, a fern and a stone. The glass needs only a few highlights.
Thistle A spiny ball topped with a brush of fine petals. The leaves are jagged.
Tightrope walker A long pole held level, with one foot placed straight in front of the other.
Time machine A chair surrounded by dials, levers and one large spinning disc.
Toffee apple A shiny ball on a stick, with a flat foot where the toffee pooled.
Tool box An open box with a lift-out tray. Let a hammer and spanner stick out.
Tortoise A high dome with the head stretched out. The legs are thick like an elephant's.
Toucan The bill is as long as the body. Draw it first, then attach the bird.
Trailing pothos Heart leaves alternating down a vine that spills over a shelf.
Tree stump with rings An uneven oval of rings, with bark round the edge and roots gripping the ground.
Treehouse A crooked hut wedged in a fork, with a rope ladder and a plank walkway.
Troll under a bridge A large hunched figure with a big nose and small eyes, fitted into the arch.
Trumpet A long loop of tube, three valves in a row and a flared bell.
Two people sharing an umbrella Both lean inward. The outside shoulders get wet.
Two people talking One leans in and one leans back. The gap between them has a shape.
Typewriter Rows of round keys stepping up to a roller with a sheet of paper in it.
Underwater city Domes and towers among kelp, with fish where birds would be.
Unicorn A horse with a spiral horn, a lion-like tail and feathered heels.
Vampire A high collar, a widow's peak and a cloak held across the body.
Venus flytrap Hinged leaf pairs fringed with spines. Leave one trap half shut.
Vineyard rows Parallel rows fan out from a point on the horizon and follow the slope.
Violin An hourglass body with two f-shaped holes and a scroll at the top of the neck.
Violinist The chin holds the instrument. The bow arm makes a square with the strings.
Walrus Two tusks, a moustache of stiff whiskers and folds of skin at the neck.
Water lily Layers of pointed petals opening from a cup, with a reflection below.
Waterfall Leave the water as paper. Draw the rocks each side and the mist at the foot.
Watering can A cylinder with a long spout ending in a rose, and a handle from top to back.
Weeping willow The branches rise, then pour down like a fountain to the ground.
Werewolf A wolf head on a hunched human frame, with long forearms.
Wheat ear Grains stacked in a plait, each with a long whisker.
Wheelbarrow A tray that slopes to the front, one wheel and two long handles.
Windmill toy Four curled sails pinned at the centre, on a stick.
Window box A long trough of flowers against a window frame. Let some hang over the front.
Witch on a broom Leaning forward, hat pushed back by the wind, with the cloak streaming behind.
Wizard with a staff Long robes fall in straight folds. The staff stands taller than the wizard.
Wizard's tower A thin tower with rooms bulging from the sides, propped up on beams.
Yeti A tall shaggy cone with long arms. The fur hangs in clumps pointing down.
Yoga pose Pick a standing balance. The arms and the lifted leg make clear angles.

Hard 163

Airport departure hall A huge roof, small people and long reflections on a polished floor.
Alchemist's bench Glass vessels joined by tubes, with each liquid level drawn as an ellipse.
Angel with spread wings Bird wings in three layers of feathers, shortest at the top.
Astronaut on an alien shore A reflective visor shows the landscape behind you. Two moons hang over the sea.
Bakery window Rows of loaves behind glass, with a reflection laid across them.
Banyan tree Roots drop from the branches and become new trunks. Find the big arches first.
Bare hedge in frost A tangle of twigs edged with white. Draw the gaps, not the twigs.
Battle of two wizards Two figures at opposite edges with the space between them full of light and debris.
Bicycle from the front Almost everything is foreshortened. The wheels become thin ellipses.
Bouquet wrapped in paper The cone of paper has crisp folds. The flowers inside overlap heavily.
Bowl of fruit Overlap everything. One shadow shape can join three fruits together.
Breaking wave A curling lip, a dark hollow under it and foam sliding down the face.
Brown bear standing The weight settles in the hips. The feet are flat on the ground like ours.
Canal city Buildings rise straight from the water, with arched bridges and striped mooring poles.
Cat in mid-jump The spine is a spring. The front legs reach while the back legs trail.
Cathedral interior Columns rise into ribs that cross overhead. Work out one bay and repeat it.
Cave mouth from inside A dark frame round a bright view. The edge of the rock is the detail.
Chandelier Arms repeat round a centre. Those coming towards you are shortest.
Chess set in mid-game Same pieces at different distances. Size tells how far away each one is.
Chrome kettle It reflects the room in stretched shapes. Draw the reflections as flat patches.
City inside a bottle Tiny towers distorted by curved glass, with a cork the size of a hill.
City skyline at night Draw the lit windows and leave the buildings dark.
Clasped hands The fingers interlock and alternate. Count them as you go.
Clockwork dragon Plates, gears and rivets follow the forms of a living animal.
Cobra The hood is flattened ribs. The raised body needs a coil underneath for balance.
Cross-section of a flower Petals, the stamens and the central column. Label nothing and let the shapes explain.
Crumpled paper ball Draw the outline, then break it into flat facets and shade each one differently.
Crystal cave Faceted shards at all angles. Shade each facet as one flat tone.
Dahlia Rolled petals in tidy rings, getting larger towards the outside.
Dancer in mid-leap The legs split while the arms and head stay calm.
Dandelion from underneath The seed ball seen against the sky, with every stalk radiating towards you.
Dog shaking off water The head and the hips twist opposite ways. The ears fly out.
Double portrait, very old and very young Same features at different ages. Compare the size of the eyes to the face.
Dragon curled on its hoard A spiral body with the head resting on the tail, and coins heaped in the gaps.
Dragon in flight The wings are bat wings: long finger bones with skin stretched between them.
Draped cloth over a chair Folds hang from the points that hold the cloth up. Find those points first.
Dwarf hall under a mountain Rows of huge square columns going back into darkness, lit by braziers.
Eagle in flight The wing tips split into fingers. The wings are much longer than the body.
Egg being cracked Two shell halves, a stretched drop of white and a yolk in mid-fall.
Face lit from one side Half the face falls into one joined shadow shape. Do not outline the dark side.
Face looking down The top of the head takes over. The features crowd into the lower third.
Face looking up The chin comes forward, and you see the underside of the nose and jaw.
Fairground at night Rings and strings of lights against dark. The big wheel is an ellipse unless you face it.
Field of tulips Rows converge on the horizon. The front flowers are detailed, the far ones are dots.
Figure carrying another on their back The carrier bends forward to bring the combined weight over the feet.
Figure climbing a ladder Opposite hand and foot are raised. The ladder cuts across the body.
Figure in a heavy cloak The folds hang from the shoulders and gather over the arm that lifts them.
Figure lying down, feet towards you The feet are huge and the head is small. Trust what you see.
Figure pushing something heavy The whole body slants into the load, with a straight line from back foot to hands.
Figure seen through rain on a window Soft edges everywhere, and a few sharp drops on the glass in front.
Figure sitting, seen from above The head is large, the shoulders wide and the legs shrink away below.
Forest floor close up Moss, twigs, fungi and leaves at different scales. Pick one patch to bring into focus.
Forest spirit with antlers A tall thin figure among the trunks, with antlers that read as branches.
Galloping horse Choose one moment of the stride and commit. All four feet can be off the ground.
Ghost ship Torn sails and rigging, with the hull fading into mist at the water line.
Giant robot in a city Street-level perspective, with the robot's head far above the vanishing buildings.
Glass bottle Leave the highlights as white paper. The darks sit right beside them.
Glass of iced drink Ice cubes distort what is behind them. Drops run down the outside.
Glass of water The rim, the water line and the base are all ellipses. The straw bends at the surface.
Goblin market A crowd of small figures and stalls, each with one clear gesture.
Gorilla Arms longer than legs, a crest on the skull and a heavy brow that shades the eyes.
Grand piano with the lid up A curved box on three legs. The lid is a second curve held by a prop.
Greenhouse interior Glass in perspective, with plants in rows that get smaller with distance.
Group round a table Overlapping heads at one eye level. The table is an ellipse that ties them together.
Hand holding a pencil Draw your own non-drawing hand in the grip. The fingers stack like stairs.
Hands knitting Two needles cross. The yarn runs over one forefinger with loops along the needle.
Hands playing a piano The wrists float level, the fingers curve and the thumbs pass under.
Helicopter A bubble cabin, a tail boom and rotor blades that droop slightly at rest.
Hippo yawning The jaw opens very wide. The tusks sit at the corners of the lower jaw.
Honeycomb A grid of hexagons that tilts away from you, some cells full and shining.
Horse standing The body fits a square. Watch the angle of the shoulder and the joints of the back leg.
Howling wolf The neck stretches and the ears flatten. Fur direction changes at the throat.
Humpback whale breaching Long knobbly flippers and a throat of grooves. Most of the body is out of the water.
Hydra Many necks weave over and under each other. Keep track of which head belongs to which.
Indoor market Stalls in rows under an iron and glass roof, with light falling in shafts.
Jar of boiled sweets Coloured shapes pressed against curved glass, with highlights over the top.
Kitchen shelf Pots, tins, jars and bowls. Draw the shelf in perspective before anything sits on it.
Knight fighting a dragon The small figure and the big one face each other across a diagonal.
Knotted rope Follow one strand over and under all the way through before you shade.
Leaf with water drops Each drop has a dark side, a highlight and a bright shadow.
Library that goes on for ever Shelves in every direction, with stairs that turn sideways. Keep one figure for scale.
Lion with a mane The mane grows back from the face in layers. Keep the eyes small and the nose broad.
Lionfish Striped spines fan out in every direction. Find the body first, then add the fans.
Looking up between tall buildings The walls lean towards a point in the sky, and the gap of sky has a shape of its own.
Manta ray Wings that ripple. Seen from below, the gills make five pairs of lines.
Market crowd Near figures are cut off by the frame. Far ones are marks. The middle ones carry the story.
Market stall of vegetables Crates at angles, each holding one repeated shape. Pick three to detail.
Mechanical watch movement Gears overlap at different depths. Start with the largest wheel.
Medusa Each snake needs a head, a direction and somewhere to tuck its body.
Melting ice cream cone The scoop loses its shape and runs over the hand holding it.
Mermaid seen from below Light comes down through the water, and the figure is a dark shape against it.
Messy desk Cables, mugs, paper and a lamp. Group the clutter into three big shapes first.
Minotaur in a maze A bull's head on heavy shoulders, with walls in perspective closing in.
Motorbike Find the two wheels and the triangle of the frame, then hang the engine inside.
Mountain village Houses stacked up a slope, so every roof is seen from a different angle.
Old olive tree The trunk twists and hollows. Treat the bark as ropes winding round each other.
Old town square Fronts of different heights round an open space, with a fountain in the middle.
Open hand, palm up The palm is a shallow bowl. The fingers curl slightly when relaxed.
Open umbrella from underneath Eight ribs meet at a hub, each with a stretcher to the pole.
Orangutan Long shaggy hair hangs from the arms. Older males have wide cheek pads.
Orchestra section Rows of players with the same instrument at the same angle, with small differences.
Overgrown garden gate Ironwork seen through leaves. Decide what is in front at every crossing.
Oysters on ice Rough layered shells outside, smooth and wet inside.
Pair of feet A wedge shape. The inner ankle bone sits higher than the outer one.
Pair of fighting hares Two upright bodies boxing. The back legs are huge and folded.
Pair of hands holding a mug The fingers wrap and overlap. Draw the mug first and fit the hands to it.
Pangolin Overlapping scales that get smaller towards the head. The tail is as armoured as the back.
Peacock displaying The train is a half circle of eye spots. Space them in arcs, smaller near the body.
Peony Dozens of ruffled petals. Work from the centre outwards in loose cups.
Pile of shoes Overlapping forms at different angles. Draw through each shoe to place the next.
Pine branch with snow Needles in bundles, with soft snow shapes resting on top. The snow is left as paper.
Pocket knife with tools open Every tool pivots from one end or the other. Fan them like a hand.
Pointing hand, towards you The finger is almost all fingertip. The rest of the hand sits behind it.
Portrait in three-quarter view The far eye is narrower, and the nose overlaps the far cheek.
Pot-bound plant, lifted Roots circling in the shape of the pot, with soil falling away.
Pouring tea A twisting ribbon of liquid, the splash in the cup and steam over it.
Praying mantis A triangle head that swivels, and forelegs folded like a pocket knife.
Railway viaduct A row of tall arches crossing a valley, each narrower than the last as they go back.
Reflection of trees in a lake The reflection is darker and softer than the trees, and broken by ripple lines.
Rhinoceros The skin folds like armour plates. The head hangs low on the neck.
Room through an open door A slice of a room, lit from inside, seen from a dark hall.
Runner at full stretch Both feet are off the ground. The body is one long diagonal.
Running greyhound The spine folds and unfolds. At full stretch the body is one long arc.
Scorpion Eight legs and two pincers. The tail is five segments and a sting, arched forward.
Sea cliffs Layers of rock tilt the same way. Waves wrap round the base.
Self-portrait in a mirror Measure with your pencil held out. The eyes sit halfway down the head.
Sewing box, spilled Reels, buttons, pins and thread. Let the thread tie the composition together.
Ship in a bottle Masts and rigging seen through curved glass. The cork and the stand finish it.
Shipyard cranes Lattice towers and long jibs. Draw the big silhouette before any cross-bracing.
Skeleton orchestra Simplified skeletons in playing poses. The instruments need more care than the bones.
Sliced citrus fruits Each slice is a wheel of segments. The cells catch the light differently.
Snow leopard A very thick tail, small ears and rosettes that are open rings, not spots.
Snowy forest Leave the snow as paper. Trunks and shadows do all the work.
Spice rack Rows of near-identical jars. Small differences make it believable.
Spiral staircase The steps fan round a pole. Those facing you show their tops, those beyond show their undersides.
Spoon reflection The bowl shows the room upside down. The back shows it the right way up.
Stag with antlers Each antler branches from one main beam. Draw the beam first, then the tines.
Staircase seen from above A rectangular spiral getting smaller, with the handrail as the leading line.
Steam train Cylinders and boxes in perspective. The wheels are ellipses joined by rods.
Street in the rain Reflections run straight down from every light and figure, broken by ripples.
Street seen from a high window Three-point perspective. Walls lean towards a point far below.
Suit of armour Plates overlap at every joint. Shade it like a row of cylinders.
Suspension bridge Two towers, a main cable that sags in a curve and vertical hangers at even spacing.
Swallow in flight A forked tail with long streamers, and swept-back wings like a bow.
Swimming pool from above Lane lines bend under the ripples. The swimmers are foreshortened.
Table set for dinner Plates, glasses and cutlery as ellipses at the same eye level.
Three-headed dog Three necks share one chest, and each head has a different expression.
Tiger face Stripes follow the form of the skull. They are not the same on both sides.
Tree city Platforms and rope bridges at several heights round enormous trunks.
Tree roots over a bank The roots divide like branches, gripping stones and crossing each other.
Two people dancing Their weight is shared. Remove one and the other would fall.
Two people hugging One shape with two heads. Find the arms that wrap across the back.
Underground platform A tiled tube in perspective, with the tunnel mouth as the darkest shape.
Vine on a trellis The vine crosses in front of the grid and behind it. Track every crossing.
Vintage car Round the corners of a box. The wheel arches and headlamps are all ellipses.
Wedding cake Tiers in perspective. The piped pattern must wrap round each cylinder.
Whole fish on a plate Scales follow the curve of the body. The eye is flat and glassy.
Wicker basket The weave goes over and under. Draw the uprights first, then the bands.
Winged horse landing Wings cupped forward to brake, with the back legs reaching for the ground.
Wisteria Long hanging clusters that taper to a point, from a woody twisted stem.
Wizard's study Books, jars, candles, a skull, a globe and an owl. Light it from one candle.
Workshop wall of tools Dozens of shapes hung on hooks. The outlines painted behind them help.
Zebra Stripes wrap the body, so they curve. They widen over the rump.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. The easy, medium and hard groups are our own estimates for someone drawing with a pencil, and each hint is our own note on where to start. Licence: own work

How it works

This random things to draw generator deals one subject at a time from a fixed list of 644, and every subject comes with a hint on where to start. Choose Easy, Medium or Hard, or a theme such as Animals, Food or Fantasy, then press Pick another thing to draw. Nothing repeats until you have seen the whole list, so press until one makes you reach for a pencil.

Read the full guide

One subject, one hint, never a sentence

Every result is a single named thing: a goldfish, a teapot, a lighthouse in a storm. Under the name sits a starting hint written for that subject. The flamingo says: an S neck, an oval body and one straight leg. Each press brings one more. Think of it as a things to draw randomizer with a memory: nothing repeats until the list runs out.

Filter by difficulty or by theme

The list under the button narrows the deal: All, then Easy, Medium and Hard, then Animals, Objects, Food, Plants, Places, People and Fantasy. One group is chosen at a time. Easy to draw things are built from two or three simple shapes, such as a pear or a key. Medium subjects need proportion or overlap, such as a bicycle. Hard ones bring anatomy, perspective or movement: clasped hands, a galloping horse. The grades are our own estimates for pencil.

Timed rounds and the full list

Press Start a 5-minute timer for a timed sketch. Below the tool the whole list is printed, so you can read it away from the screen.

If your whole plan is idk what to draw, choose Easy, set two minutes and draw whatever comes up, badly. The second one tends to go better.
Press three times and draw the second one, no vetoes. Choosing is the part that eats the evening.
Random sketch ideas work best small. Rule a page into six boxes and fill one box for each press.
Use Hard for study, not for finished pieces. A galloping horse teaches joints even when the drawing fails.

Questions and answers

How many things are on the list?

There are 644: 193 easy, 288 medium and 163 hard. By theme that is 101 animals, 100 objects, 81 foods, 77 plants, 85 places, 102 people and 98 fantasy subjects. Each has one level, one theme and its own hint.

How is this different from the art prompt generator?

This page gives you a single random thing to draw and a hint. The art prompt generator builds a whole scene from a subject, an action, a setting and a limit, each with a lock. Come here for a random object to draw in five minutes, and go there for a picture with a story in it.

Can I choose Easy and Animals together?

Not yet. The groups work one at a time. The quickest workaround is to pick the theme, press a few times and read the hints. An easy subject usually has a hint about shapes, while a hard one talks about joints, reflections or perspective.

What are some fun things to draw when nothing appeals?

Try the Fantasy or Food groups, where the subjects do half the work: a baby dragon, a kraken and a ship, a stack of pancakes with syrup running over the edge. Things with a job to do are also livelier than things standing still, so a person tying a shoe beats a person standing. For creative drawing ideas, deal two and draw them as one, such as a snail with a teapot for a shell.

Can it give me a topic for a drawing project?

Treat a theme group as the topic and press ten times. Ten Plants make a botanical study sheet. Many of the 85 Places are whole scenes big enough for a large sheet, such as an old town square or a fairground at night. For a theme that carries a series, try the art theme generator.

Do results repeat, and where do they come from?

Each press draws from the subjects you have not seen yet, so nothing repeats until the list, or the group you chose, runs out. The list was written by hand for this site and is fixed. Nothing is made up when you press the button.